The post How Japan’s 4. 5MW Bitcoin mining project could redefine ‘clean crypto’ appeared com. Key takeaways What is Japan doing with Bitcoin mining? Japan’s state-linked utility has started mining Bitcoin using Canaan’s 4. 5 MW Avalon rigs to balance renewable energy on its power grid. Why does this matter globally? It’s the first time a major developed nation has tied Bitcoin mining to national energy management. A major Japanese utility (partly government-owned) has begun mining Bitcoin [BTC] using specialized Canaan machines plugged directly into its power grid. The initiative aims to utilize surplus renewable energy during periods of low demand, preventing waste and helping stabilize the grid. If this approach scales, Japan could become one of the few countries where the government plays a role in Bitcoin mining, not for ideological reasons, but to optimize energy usage. Such a model could also position Japan as a pioneer in promoting ‘clean crypto’, where sustainable energy use becomes central to blockchain operations. Canaan’s grid balancing bet in Japan Canaan’s new 4. 5 MW deployment in Japan marks a significant shift in integrating BTC mining operations with real-world energy infrastructure. The company’s hydro-cooled Avalon machines will be used like an on-off buffer, powering down when grid demand spikes, and switching back on when there’s surplus renewable energy available. canaan-creative. com It’s a modest-sized setup, but the timing matters. Canaan just escaped a NASDAQ delisting and followed that with its largest miner order ever. Nangeng Zhang, chairman and CEO of Canaan, said, “With our Avalon hydro-cooled servers equipped with a smart control chip and Bitcoin mining technology, utilities can leverage Bitcoin mining as a digital load balancer, improving both energy sustainability and grid efficiency.” This partnership is Japan’s first government-linked project using Bitcoin mining to help manage the power grid. A list of state-aligned miners Building on that, this deal also settles a long-running industry rumor. VanEck’s Mathew Sigel noted.